Internal-combustion engine.



H. J. KLINE. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2|. 1913. J 1,17,648. Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- H. J. KLINE.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21, 1913.

Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETSVSH'EET 2.

ff ller 1 f [1 5- z I III I 1 HARMON J. KLINE, 0F PONTIAC, MICHIGAN.-

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

f Patented. Apr. 11, 1916.

Application filed February 21, 1913. Serial No. 750,028.

7 '0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HAIDIEON J. KLINE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pontiac, in the county of Oakland and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification. I

The present invention relates to improvements in internal combustion engines and more especially to those of the two-cycle type wherein the charges of explosive gas are compressed in the crank case and then transferred to the combustion chamber at the end of the previous working stroke, the next stroke of the piston effecting final compression of the charge. I

The primary objects of the invention are to provide an improved construction for such engines whereby greater efliciency is obtained and certain objections heretofore experienced in the operation of engines of this'type are avoided.

To these arid other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements, and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawing :Figure 1 represents a longitudinal vertical section of a two-cylinder two-cycle internal combustion engine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 represents a transverse vertical section through one of the cylinders.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in theseveral views.

The present invention is particularly applicable to, engines of the two-cycle type employing a plurality of cylinders, and in the accompanying drawing, an engine of this type having two cylinders is shown.- The invention, however, is not necessarily limited to the particular construction shown, as certain features of the invention are applicable to internal combustion engines generally.

In the present instance 1 designates the engine crank shaft having a pair of cranks 2 and 3 set in opposite relation thereon and working in the crank cases 4 and 5. .The

similar in their construction, each having suitable exhaust ports 12 formed in the wall of the cylinder a suitable distance above the upper end of the piston when the latter is at the end of its working stroke, these exhaust ports communicating with an exhaust manifold 13 which latter may be bolted or otherwise secured to the cylinders, and each cylinder is also provided with suitable inlet ports 14 for the admission of the explosive gas or fuel, these inlet ports communicating with an inlet manifold 15 and the latter may be connected in the usual wayto a carbureter. As usual, in the operation of engines of this type, the exhaust ports 12 are uncovered by the upper end of the piston as the latter approaches the end of its working stroke, thereby exhausting-the products of combustion from the cylinder, while the inlet ports 14 are uncovered, by the lower end of the piston when the latter reaches the limit of its inward or return stroke, the partial vacuum produced in the crank case by the inward or return stroke of the piston causing a charge-of gas to be drawn into the crankcase from the manifold 15 and the inlet ports 14, the gas introduced into the crank case being compressed therein during the next working stroke of the piston.

According to the present invention, tubes or barrels 16 and 17 are connected to operate in unison with the pistons (land 7, these barrels in the present instance being attached to or formed as upward extensions of the respective pistons and they are preferably cylindrical in form, as shown. These barrels operate through packings 18 and 19 which are provided in the cylinder heads 10 and 11, and the barrels are formed with ports 20 and 21 which ports are brought into communication with the combustion chambers of the respective cylinders when the corresponding pistons are substantially. at

the limits of their working strokes. In Fig. 1, the ports 20 in the barrel 16 for the lefthand cylinder are shown below the packing 18 and in communication with the combustion chamber of that cylinder, while the ports 21 of the barrel 17 for the right-hand cylinder are above the packing 19 and hence out of communication with its corresponding cylinder. A check-valve 22 is provided which permits the explosive mixture to pass from the crank case through the corresponding piston and into the tubular barrel attached to the corresponding piston, this valve as shown cooperating with a valve seat 23 which latter is threaded or otherwise fitted into the top of the piston, and the guiding stem 24; of the valve limits the opening movement thereof, the valve opening at the beginning of the working stroke of the piston due to the inertia of the valve and the pressure of the explosive mixture in the crank case which tends to lift the valve, and

the valve closes when the piston commences its return movement, the explosive mixture which has been transferred from the crank case to the tubular barrel being then confined above the valve.

The present invention is particularly applicable to two-cycle engines employing a plurality of cylinders. In usingtwo cylinders, as in the present instance, a closed casing 25 is fitted to the cylinder heads 10 and 11, this casing having chambers 26 and 27 arranged in alin'ement above the axes of the respective cylinders and adapted to accommodate the tubular barrels 16 and 17 when the latter are elevated. The chambers 26 and 27 of the casing are connected by a bypassage 28, and these chambers, the by-passage, and the interior chambers of the tubular barrels 16 and 17 insure a large and substantially constant space for the volume of explosive gas which will produce smoother running and greater power and efliciency of the engine, the explosive mixture beingforced through the by-passage 28 from the piston which is rising and flowing into the tubular barrel on the piston which is descending, and when the ports of the latter barrel are uncovered and in communication with their respective cylinder, the explosive mixture under pressure will flow into thatcylinder. This' action takes place when the parts occupy the relative positions shown in Fig. 1, and the action will be reversed relativelv to the cylinders during the next cycle. Preferably, the casing 25 is formed with cups or depressions 29 and 30 which extend downwardly into the chambers 26' and 27. These cups form convenient receptacles. for gasolene which may be burned, hot Water, an electrical heating device or other suitable means for warming this part of the engine before starting the same, thereby facilitating the starting operation, especially in cold Weather. A priming cup or fuel supply device 31 may also be fitted into the casing 25, it beingshown tapped into the by-passage or branch 28, and may, if desired, be used as a substitute for a carbureter, the fuel being taken up readily by the air as it flows through the narrow passage 28 and carried thereby into the combustion chamber.

The cycle of operation may be briefly described as follows :-VVhen either piston is at the upper end of its stroke, a charge of explosive mixture is drawn into the crank case through the intake ports 14, and when the piston descends, this mixture is compressed within the crank case, the latter being gas-tight and compression of the mixture in the crank case causes it to pass upwardly through the piston and the valve 22, which is then open, and into the tubular barreL' When the piston reaches the limit of its downward or working stroke, the ports on the tubular barrel are below the top wall of the cylinder, thereby allowing the explosive mixture to pass from the tubular barrel into the cylinder, the exhaust or burned gases being thoroughly expelled through the exhaust ports in the cylinder in advance of the incoming fresh mixture, thereby insuring greater power and efliciency. During the next succeeding upstroke of the piston, the explosive mixture contained in the cylinder is compressed therein, and after the crank passes the upper center, the mixture is ignited in the usual way.

The present invention renders positive valve timing possible, it causes all the burned gases'to be expelled from the cylinder during each cycle, and the fresh explosive mixture is kept in perfect condition before entering the cylinders.

In applying the invention to a two-cylinder engine, as shown, the explosive mixture is pumped back and forth, the resulting agitation causing the fresh gas to be mixed thoroughly before reaching the cylinders, and thereby insuring more regular and eflicient operation. Also, the tubular barrels are exposed to the heat of combustion in the cylinders and the heat absorbed by the barrels is transmitted to the explosive mixture flowing through them, thereby assisting materially in vaporizing the constituents of the charge and maintaining a perfectly vaporized mixture, the heat absorbed by the explosive mixture assisting materially in supplying the heat necessary for vaporization. Also, the'efl'ective area of the piston which acts as a pump for the explosive mixture contained in the crank case is greater in extent or displacement than the area of the piston exposed to the combustion chamber, and consequently the volume will result in forcing any remaining burned ports-and hence the waste or loss of explosive mixture is reduced to a minimum, thereby increasing the efficiency of engines of this type.

Lubricating oil is preferably supplied to the cylinder through the lubricator 32, the

lower portions of the piston and cylinder being lubricated sufiiciently by the splash action of the crank working in the crank case, while the wrist pin, the upper portions of the cylinder and piston, and the sliding surface of the tubular barrel are lubricated efficiently by the oil vapor carried upwardly with the explosive mixture, the lubricating oil flowing out of the ports in the tubular barrel feeding the oil to the exterior of the barrel, an excess of oil in the cylinder which would quickly carbonize therein being avoided, and also there is no lack of lubricating oil on the moving parts of the engine.

In starting the motor, pressure. is developed within the casing 25 to a point sufficient to properly scavenge the cylinders of the burned gases after the motor has operated for a few revolutions, the pressure in this casing being increased until it balances the pressure which is developed in the crank case. The casing 25 constitutes a storage reservoir for the fuel gas and from which reservoir only a certain amount of gas is drawn at each revolution of the crank shaft, each piston acting as a pump in the crank case and serving to maintain the pressure in the casing 25 at the proper point.

I claim aS my invention 1. In an internal combustion engine, the combination" of a casing forming a crank case and cylinder, a fuel storage reservoir above the cylinder, a piston reciprocatory in the cylinder and having a barrel operative therewith through the cylinder head, and in said storage reservoir, said barrel being provided with ports arranged to communicate with the. combustion chamber of the cylinder, j a check-valve controlling. communication between the crank case and said barrel and subject to pressure of gas in the crank case during the down-stroke of the piston, and means for forcing gas into said cylinder when the ports of said barrel are in communication therewith.

2. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a casing forming a crank case and cylinder, a fuel storage chamber, a piston reciprocatory in the cylinder and having a barrel movable therewith through the cylinder head, and operative in said storage chamber, said barrel being provided with ports arranged to communicate with the combustion chamber of the cylinder, a check-valve movable automatically in the direction of the axis of the piston to control the passage of explosive mixture between the crank case and said barrel, and means for forcing gas into said cylinder when the ports of said barrel are in communication therewith;

3. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a casing forming a crank case and cylinder, a fuel storage chamber, a piston reciprocatory in the cylinder and having a barrel movable therewith through the cylinder head, and operative in said storage chamber, said barrel being provided with ports arranged to communicate with said storage chamber and the combustion chamber of the cylinder, a' freely movable valve carried by the piston and adapted to be unseated by inertia when the piston C0111- mences its working stroke and to be seated by inertia when the piston commences its return stroke and controlling the passage of fluid between the crank case and said barrel, and means for forcing gas into said cylinder when the ports of said barrel are in communication therewith.

4. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston reciprocatory therein and carrying a tubularbarrel operative through the cylinder head and hav- .mg an open upper end, a casing fitted to the cylinder head and forming a fuel storage chamber 'inclosin said .barrel above the cylinder head, said casing having a cup-like portion depending into the upper open end of the barrel, and means for forcing gas into said cylinder when the ports of said barrel are in communication therewith.

5. In an internal combustion engine. the combination of a plurality of cylinders having gas-compressing crank cases and pistons reciprocatory in the cylinders, each piston carrying a tubular barrel working through the top of its respective cylinder and adapted to transfer an explosive mixture from the crank case to the combustion chamber of the cylinder, and means forming with said tubular barrels of the pistons a substantially constant space to contain the I through the top of its respective cylinder and adapted to transfer an explosive mixture from the crankcase to the combustion chamber of the cylinder, a valve controlling the transfer of the mlxture from each crank case to the tubular extension of the respective piston, and a casing inclosing and forming communication between the barrels of the different cylinders above the heads thereof. I

7. In'an internal combustion engine, the

combination of a plurality of cylinders having gas-compressing crank cases and pistons reciprocatory in the cylinders, each piston carrying a tubular barrel working through the top of its respective cylinder and adapted to transfer an explosive mixture from the crank case to the combustion chamber of the cylinder, a valve controlling the transfer of the mixture from each crank.

forming communication between the barrels of the different cylinders, means for introducing fuel to said casing, and means permitting the transfer of fuel from the crank cases to said casing and preventing fiow of fluid from said casing to the crank cases.

9. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a plurality of cylinders having gas-compressing crank cases and pistons reciprocatory in the cylinders, each piston carrying a'tubular open-top barrel working through the top of its cylinder and having ports to conduct fuel into the combustion space of the cylinder, a. casing inclosing the upper ends of said barrels and having a passage forming communication between the barrels of adjacent cylinders, means for admitting fluid from the'crank cases to said casing and dreventing flow of fluid from said casing 0 said crank cases, and means connected to said passage for introducing fuel therein.

10. In an internal combustion engine of the two-cycle type, the combination of a plurality of cylinders provided with gas-compressing crank cases and pistons reciprocatory in the cylinders, a tubular barrel carriedby each piston and working through the head of the respective cylinder, said barrel being open at the top and adapted to communlcate at the' bottom with the respective crank case and also having ports adapted to communicate with the combustion space of the cylinder, and a casing covering and forming communication between the barrels of the different cylinders, said casing proriding a fuel storage chamber of substantially constant volume heated by combustion of the fuel gases.

. 11. In an internal combustion engine, the

masses combination of a plurality of cylinders having gas-compressing crank chambers and and the respective barrels, a packing fitted in the head of each cylinder and cooperative with the respective barrel, and a casing forming a fuel storage chamber attached to the heads of the cylinders and forming. communication between the barrels, said casing in'closing said packings in the different cylinders.

12. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a cylinder and crank case, a fuel storage chamber located exteriorly of the cylinder head, a piston reciprocable in the cylinder and carrying a barrel operative through the cylinder head and in said storage chamber, said barrel communicating with said chamber, and an automatic checkvalve at the end of the barrel adjacent to the piston, said valve opening to permit flow of fluid from the crank case into the barrel and a storage chamber and preventing flow of fluid from said barrel to the crank case.

13. In 'a two-cycle explosive engine, the combination of a crank case and cylinder, a piston operative in the cylinder, a. fuel storage reservoir, the piston carrying a barrel operative through the cylinder head and in said reservoir, and valve-controlled means of communlcationbetween said reservoir and crank case for transferrlng explosive mixture from the crank case to the reservoir.

14. In a two-cycle explosive engine, the combination of a crank case and cylinder, a piston operative in the cylinder and carrying a barrel provided with ports arranged to register with the combustion chamber of the cylinder when the piston has nearly reached the limit of its out-stroke, a checkvalve controlling the flow of fuel between the crank case and the barrel, and means forming with said piston barrel a fuel storage reservoir of substantially constant volume; i

15. The combination of a storage chamber of substantially constant volume, working cylinders, pumping means embodying pistons reciprocatory in said cylinders and operative to transfer fluid to said chamber, and means embodying barrels reciprocatory with said pistons and in constant communication with said chamber for admitting such fluidto the working cylinders at predetermined intervals.

16. The combination of a compressing crank case, a storage chamber, an intake manifold to the crank case, means for transferring fluid from the crank case to said storage chamber embodying a pair of oppositely movable pistons, each carrying a In testimony whereof I have hereunto set valve-controlled barrel communicating with my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- 10 said chamber, the) combined space within nesses.

saiu Ste-rage cham er an piston barrels being substantially constant, the piston barrels HARMON KLINE' being arranged to be heated by the heat of Witnesses: combustion, and means for supplying fluid EDWARD L. BYRNE,

to said" storage chamber. WILBUR D. BYRNE. 

